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The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 kicks off with a blockbuster encounter as hosts Pakistan face New Zealand in the tournament opener at Karachi’s National Stadium on February 19. This high-stakes match marks a rematch of the recent ODI tri-series final, where New Zealand emerged victorious by five wickets, extending their dominance over Pakistan in recent fixtures. With both teams vying for early momentum in the group stage, the game promises fireworks, amplified by Karachi’s batting-friendly pitch and idyllic weather conditions. Pakistan, despite their home advantage, carry the weight of recent defeats, while New Zealand’s clinical form makes them formidable contenders.
Pakistan’s recent form: A rocky road (L, W, L, L, W,)
Pakistan’s lead-up to the Champions Trophy has been turbulent. In their last five ODIs, they’ve secured two wins and suffered three losses, including back-to-back defeats to New Zealand in the tri-series. Their batting lineup, despite flashes of brilliance from captain Mohammad Rizwan (171 runs in three tri-series games) and Salman Agha (Player of the Series), has struggled with consistency. The bowling unit, spearheaded by Shaheen Afridi, showed glimpses of potency but faltered under pressure during the tri-series final, where New Zealand chased down 243 with ease. Fielding lapses further compounded their woes, a weakness Rizwan openly acknowledged post-defeat.
New Zealand’s recent form: Unrelenting momentum (W, W, W, L, W)
In stark contrast, New Zealand enter the Champions Trophy brimming with confidence. Their last five ODIs include four wins, highlighted by a tri-series triumph where they outclassed Pakistan twice. Key players like Kane Williamson (225 runs in the tri-series) and Devon Conway (97 vs South Africa, 48 in the final) have been in sublime touch, while bowlers Will O’Rourke (4/43 in the final) and Mitchell Santner (5 wickets in the series) stifled opponents with precision. The Black Caps’ balanced squad—boasting depth in batting, pace, and spin—positions them as early tournament favourites.
Also READ: New Zealand’s group-stage rivals: Evaluating India, Pakistan & Bangladesh in Champions Trophy 2025
Karachi’s weather: A cricketer’s delight
Karachi’s climate is set to play a perfect host for the Champions Trophy opener. According to weather reports, February 19 will see sunny skies with partial cloud cover, zero rain disruption, and temperatures hovering in the low-to-mid 20s°C. Humidity levels are expected to peak at 54%, while a steady breeze of 21 km/h will keep conditions pleasant for players and spectators alike 15.
The absence of rain ensures a full 100-over contest, a relief for fans after recent matches in Karachi saw high-scoring thrillers, including Pakistan’s record chase of 353 against South Africa. However, dew in the evening could tilt the advantage toward teams batting second, as spinners may struggle with grip in the later innings. Captains winning the toss might opt to field first, mirroring trends from the tri-series where chasing sides dominated.
Squads:
New Zealand: Devon Conway, Kane Williamson, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Latham, Glenn Phillips, Mitchell Santner (c), Nathan Smith, Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson, William ORourke, Ben Sears, Michael Bracewell, Will Young, Mark Chapman
Pakistan: Mohammad Rizwan (c), Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, Kamran Ghulam, Saud Shakeel, Tayyab Tahir, Faheem Ashraf, Khushdil Shah, Salman Ali Agha, Usman Khan, Abrar Ahmed, Haris Rauf, Mohammad Hasnain, Naseem Shah, Shaheen Shah Afridi
